Lake said the replacement signs will cost around $325 to manufacture and install.

"We are not changing the design of the M-22 route marker overall, nor replacing all of the route marker signs," he wrote in an email, "but have been placing the modified '22' signs in locations where theft has been a problem and the original sign was stolen.

The 116-mile stretch of highway runs through Michigan's vacation hotbed in Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau counties. When USA Today asked its readers to vote for the country's top fall foliage scenic drives, M-22 took top honors.

Those popular bumper stickers featuring the soon-to-be vintage "M-22" logo can still find them and other products at stores sprawled around the area like Glen Arbor's M22 shop.

"It's certainly a popular route for travelers and there are some companies marketing M-22 signs themselves and other memorabilia and that seems to factor into their popularity," Lake told the Record-Eagle. "We hope people would understand our interest in protecting taxpayer investments in protecting these signs and realize if they're interested in M-22 merchandise, it's for sale."

Check out a photo of the new signs below:

This undated photo provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation shows a highway sign being installed that says "22," instead of M-22 signs that have been stolen. M-22 is known as an iconic highway in northern Lower Peninsula. Officials hope the new "22" signs won't be appealing to thieves. (Michigan Department of Transportation via AP)AP